Inefficient use threatens European water sources

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has warned that the continent's water resources are under pressure due to continued inefficient use of water.

Increasing use of water from these limited supplies could threaten Europe's economy, productivity and ecosystems, EEA stressed.

"The critical thing for us is that we are seeing an increasing number of regions where river basins, because of climate change, are experiencing water scarcity," said EEA executive director Jacqueline McGlade at the 6th World Water Forum in Marseille.

"Member states need to be clearer about the opportunities they can make in order to enhance their use of a scarce resource," she added.

Experts say governments should raise awareness about the issue, implement the existing legislation more effectively and not waste these limited supplies.

The EEA report features all the different challenges as countries moved from their historical position on water to where they are moving to because of climate change and other reasons.

"We are looking for more efficient uses, such as drip irrigation and other advanced techniques, simply because of the cost of cleaning water and bringing it into an agricultural setting," McGlade noted.

Source: presstv.com